Modulating mechanism for musical instruments.



Patented Sept. 2, 1913.

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APPLICATION FILED. D3014, 1910.-

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH c0, WASHINGTON. D. C.

MODULATING MECHANISM FOR- MUSIGAL INSTRUMENTS.

H. E. FRENCH.

. MODULATING MECHANISM FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

APPLICATION FILED DBO. 24, 1910.

Patnted Sept. 2, 1913.

UNITED STATES PATENT onrion HORACE EDGAR FRENCH, OF NEWCASTLE, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR TO JESSE FRENCH & SONS PIANO COMPANY, OF NEWCASTLE, INDIANA, A CORPORATION OF INDIANA.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 2, 1913.

Application filed December 24, 1910. Serial No. 599,108.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, HORACE EDGAR FRENCH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Newcastle, in the county of Henry and State of Indiana, have invented a new and useful Modulating Mechanism for Musical Instruments, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a musical instrument, and is particularly adapted fora pneumatic self playing instrument.

The principal objects of the invention are to provide simple and convenient means for readily softening the tone of any desired part of the instrument, said means being of such a nature that. it can be divided up into any desired number of sections; to provide simple and effective means whereby the tone softening mechanisms can be pneumatically operated independently of each other; and to provide a convenient means whereby the above mentioned mechanisms can be em ployed not only for softening sections of the instrument, but can be used for simultaneously softening the entire instrument without the employment of any additional pneumatic connections.

The invention also involves details of construction as will appear hereinafter.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a front elevation of a portion of a pneumatic musical instrument with a preferred form of this invention applied thereto; Fig. 2 is a side elevation of a portion of the same on enlarged scale; Fig. 3 is a plan of a part of the controlling connections, and Fig. 4 is a sectional view on the line 44 of Fig. 3 on enlarged scale.

The invention is shown as applied to a pneumatic musical instrument, although it can be applied to musical instruments in general. This instrument is shown as having under the key-bed 10 thereof a drawer or slide 11 for supporting the forte lever 12, tempo lever 13, re-roll connection 14 and such other operating levers and the like as may be desired. It is also shown as connected with a flexible connection 16, and which by means of a lever 17, operates the sliding panel 18 when the drawer 11 is pulled out. This slide is operated manually and is provided with a tongue 20 held in its extreme position by a Ushaped spring 21 held at the bow by screws 22. On the feet of the spring are vertical projections 23 pressing against the sides of the tongue and adapted to enter opposite notches 24 therein, and constituting a spring catch. The free ends of the spring are supported by a bracket 25 having vertical guide ways 26 for the projections 23. Mounted on this slide are a plurality of terminals 30 having air channels 31, 31 and 31 the connections of which will be described hereinafter. Each of these terminals is provided with a valve 32 on which bears a lever 33, an adjustable spring 34 being employed to hold this end of the lever and the valve down so as to close the end of the passage. Each of these levers is pivoted on a block 35 and has a push button 36 on the end by which it can be operated. Obviously pushing down the button 36 will open the valve 32 in opposition to the spring 34 so as to let air into the air channel 31. Each of these air channels can be operated therefore independently of the others. However, if desired they can all be operated simultaneously by means of a lever 37 mounted to swing over the block 35, and bearing on all of the levers 33 at a point near the several push buttons 36. This lever 37 has a push bar 38 near the buttons 36 by which it is manipulated. Obviously the operator who is manipulating the push buttons 36 can, if desired, press down the bar 38 instead, and thus simultaneously manipulate all the push buttons and open all the channels 31 to the same degree and keep them open the same length of time, which would be a difficult matter if he were obliged to press on all the buttons 36 with as many fingers. It is understood, of course, that while three of these air channels and connections are shown, any desired number can be employed.

Each of the air channels 31, 31 and 31 is connected with two of a series of pneumatics 40, 40 and 40 Each pair of these pneumatics supports and operates a hammer rest-rail 41, 41 and 41 or section thereof, which is auxiliary to the main hammer rest rail 42. The sections 41, 41 and 41 are independent of each other, and each one is operated by its own pneumatics independently of the others. Obviously there are as many sections to this auxiliary hammer rest rail as there are channels 31, 31 and 31 Normally the hammers 43 rest on theusual continuous rest-rail 42 andwhen in 110 that position they play with the loudest effect. hen it is desired tosoften any section of the instrument, the corresponding button 36 is pressed to advance the desired auxiliary hammer rest rail 41, 41 and al so as to advance those hammers nearer the strings and soften the effect.

In the form of the invention shown the silent travel is operated in a similar way. That is, the lever 14; which is provided with, a push button 45 is constructed like the levers 38, and in the same way'controls an air channel 46 which is connected with the governor in the usual way to control the reroll. Further explanation of this feature will not be required.

While I have shown and described a preferred embodiment of the invention, I am aware that many modifications can be made therein by any person skilled in the art Without departing from the scope of the invention as expressed in the claims. Therefore I do not Wish to be limited to all the details of construction herein shown and described, but i What I do claim is 1. In a music playing device, the combi-' nation with the hammers and a continuous main hammer rest rail therefor, of a plurality of auxiliary hammer rest rails normally resting above the main rest rail and movable to the rear and front thereof, and pneu-; matic means for operating each of the auxiliary hammer rest rails independently of the 1 others to bring it in position to hold the hammers adjacent thereto away from the first named hammer rest rail, said means comprising a pneumatic for each of said sections, a source of exhaust, a lever for connecting each of said pneumatics with the source of exhaust independently of the others, I and a push bar for operating all of said:

levers simultaneously in position to be undisturbed by the operation of said levers individually.

2., Ina musical instrument, the combination with the key-bed, keys, source of eX-f haust, hammers, and hammer rest rail, of a plurality of auxiliary rest-rails normally located in alinement adjacentto' the ham mer rest-rail, a pneumatic connected with each of said auxiliary rest-rails, a lever for; connecting each of said pneumatics with the source of exhaust independently of the; others, and a push bar for operating all ofg said levers simultaneously in position to be Copies of this patent may be obtained for same, a spring for holding eachlever in pos1t1on to close its channel, and means resting on said levers for simultaneously operating all of them against the springs.

l. In a device of the character ClGSCllbCl,

the combination of a plurality of'air channels, a hammerrest rail in sections, pneumatic means connected with each of said air channels for operating one of said sections, a valve for controlling each of said air channels, a lever for operating each of said valves independently of the others, and a push bar resting on all of said levers and adapted to operate all of them simultaneously. f

5. In a device of the character described, the combination'of a plurality of air channels, a valve for controlling each of said air channels, a lever for operating each of said valves independently of the others, and a push bar resting on all of said levers and adapted to'operate all'of them simultaneously in position to be undisturbed by the operation of said levers individually.

6. In a musical instrument, the combination of a plurality of air channels, a valve for controlling each of said air channels, a lever for each of said valves, said levers be ing adapted to control said valves independently of each other, said levers being ar ranged parallel with each other and each having an operating button on the end and being pivoted between the button and valve,

a push bar extending across said levers near T said push buttons for operating all of said levers simultaneously, and a spring for each of said levers located in position to press thereon at a point near the valve controlled thereby.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

HORACE EDGAR FRENCH. Vitnesses:

M YRoN E. MILLIHAN, G. E. I-IINGHEY.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner oi. Patents, Washington, D. G. 

